CHRIS STEVENSON, QMI Agency

That should cause a few neck problems in the coaching fraternity around the NHL.

Ruff had been the longest-serving coach in the NHL when the inevitable tap on the shoulder came from Buffalo Sabres general manager Darcy Regier Wednesday.

Now, with Ruff hitting the bricks, any other NHL coach who has the slightest sensation of the sand shifting beneath his feet -- say in Colorado or Columbus or Minnesota -- has to be looking over this shoulder.